Pavement design using bituminous surface course with recycled aggregates

Abstract

The utilization of Recycled Aggregates (RA) in the construction of pavement structure is one of the inventive and eco-friendly construction techniques. This scale down the construction cost without negotiates the strength and the durability of the pavement structures. However, RA is rigid in nature because it is obtained from aged bituminous mixtures to enhance a rejuvenator is usually added in order to lower the stiffness. Rejuvenator surges the utility of the bituminous mixtures and makes them be smoothly paved and compacted. The objective of this study is to design a flexible pavement structure using Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) as a surface course in order with RA. In SMA mixture major component is occupied by coarse aggregates, mineral filler, bitumen and a minor component of fine aggregates helps to fill the voids present in coarse aggregate which gives stone-on-stone contact. The bitumen binder and mineral filler form mastic, providing durability to the mixture. In this study, the performance of SMA mixtures with different RA proportions and a rejuvenator will be compared with conventional SMA mixture with zero percentage RA. Marshall Mix design is outlined to find the Marshall and volumetric properties of SMA mixtures and to regulate the Optimum Binder Content (OBC). The mixtures will be compared based on the drain down, stripping, Indirect Tensile strength (ITS) and Semi circular bend (SCB) test results. The analysis and design of flexible pavement structure using the prepared SMA mixtures with different RA contents as surface courses also will be carried out as a component of the study.SMA mixture of 40% replacing RA with 3% of palm sludge oil as rejuvenator exhibits optimum bitumen content where vertical stress, strain and displacement obtain reduction with compared to IRC 37 conventional SMA mixture.